Method, apparatus and logistics system for carrying a mail dispatch

Abstract

There is provided a method for conveying a mailpiece, whereby a first machine-readable code is applied onto the mailpiece as a data matrix code or stored in a transponder. An exemplary method comprises detecting the machine-readable code by at least one reading unit. The exemplary method also comprises applying a second machine-readable code onto the mailpiece as a linear code or storing the second machine-readable code in the transponder. The exemplary method additionally comprises storing information about a link between the first code and the second code in a data processing system. A service request is received and, depending on content of the service request, the service request is converted and forwarded to a provider server for a service.

1 - 38 . (canceled) 
   
   
       39 . A method for conveying a mailpiece, whereby a first machine-readable code is applied onto the mailpiece as a data matrix code or stored in a transponder, the method comprising:
 detecting the machine-readable code by at least one reading unit;   applying a second machine-readable code onto the mailpiece as a linear code or storing the second machine-readable code in the transponder;   storing information about a link between the first code and the second code in a data processing system;   receiving a service request; and   depending on content of the service request, converting the service request and forwarding it to a provider server for a service.   
   
   
       40 . The method recited in  claim 39 , wherein the first code contains identification information. 
   
   
       41 . The method recited in  claim 39 , wherein the second code contains identification information. 
   
   
       42 . The method recited in  claim 39 , wherein the first code and the second code are applied onto the mailpiece in separate processing procedures. 
   
   
       43 . The method recited in  claim 42 , wherein the mailpiece is conveyed in the time between the application of the first code and the application of the second code. 
   
   
       44 . The method recited in  claim 39 , wherein the first code contains an identifier that distinguishes it from the second code. 
   
   
       45 . The method recited in  claim 39 , wherein the second code contains an identifier that distinguishes it from the first code. 
   
   
       46 . The method recited in  claim 39 , wherein the first code is of a different code type than the second code. 
   
   
       47 . The method recited in  claim 39 , wherein the first code is detected in a processing unit. 
   
   
       48 . The method recited in  claim 39 , wherein the second code is detected in a processing unit. 
   
   
       49 . The method recited in  claim 39 , wherein the first code is detected in a first processing unit and the second code is detected in a second processing unit, the first processing unit being different from the second processing unit. 
   
   
       50 . The method recited in  claim 39 , wherein the first code and the second code are detected in a common processing unit. 
   
   
       51 . The method recited in  claim 50 , wherein the first code and the second code are linked in the common processing unit, taking into account the detection of the first code and of the second code. 
   
   
       52 . The method recited in  claim 39 , wherein the first code contains identification information, and wherein a data record with data for identifying the mailpiece is created or modified, taking into account the identification information. 
   
   
       53 . The method recited in  claim 39 , wherein the first code is applied onto the mailpiece at an earlier point in time than the second code. 
   
   
       54 . The method recited in  claim 39 , wherein the second code and the first code are applied onto the mailpiece at the same time. 
   
   
       55 . The method recited in claim  14 , wherein the second code is applied onto the mailpiece at an earlier point in time than the first code. 
   
   
       56 . The method recited in  claim 39 , wherein the data record with data for identifying the mailpiece is created or modified when the mailpiece is dropped off during the course of processing of mailpieces. 
   
   
       57 . The method recited in  claim 56 , wherein the data record or at least part of it is made available to a user. 
   
   
       58 . The method recited in  claim 56 , wherein the data record is stored on a server. 
   
   
       59 . The method recited in  claim 39 , wherein the data record is linked to information about the conveyance status of the mailpiece. 
   
   
       60 . The method recited in  claim 59 , wherein the conveyance status of the mailpiece is ascertained, taking into account the detection of the first code. 
   
   
       61 . The method recited in  claim 59 , wherein the conveyance status is ascertained, taking into account the detection of the second code. 
   
   
       62 . The method recited in  claim 59 , wherein the conveyance status is ascertained, taking into account the link between the first code and the second code. 
   
   
       63 . The method recited in  claim 39 , wherein the first code can be detected by a first detection modality, and in that the second code can be detected by a different second detection modality. 
   
   
       64 . The method recited in  claim 63 , wherein one of the detection modalities comprises the detection of graphically depictable code constituents. 
   
   
       65 . The method recited in  claim 63 , wherein one of the detection modalities comprises the detection of transponder signals. 
   
   
       66 . A device for processing mailpieces, comprising:
 a detector that is adapted to detect at least part of a first machine-readable code that has been applied onto a mailpiece;   an applier that is adapted to apply a second machine-readable code onto the mailpiece;   an associator that is adapted to allow a linking of the first code to the second code; and   an interface that is adapted to transmit the linking information to a server.   
   
   
       67 . A logistics system that is adapted to transport a mailpiece from an originating location to a destination, the logistics system comprising:
 a conveyor that is adapted to convey the mailpiece to a device, the device comprising:
 a detector that is adapted to detect at least part of a first machine-readable code; and 
 a applier that is adapted to apply a second machine-readable code onto the mailpiece; 
   an associator that is adapted to allow a linking of the first code to the second code;   a server that is adapted to provide a data record for the identification of the mailpiece and/or information about a conveyance status of the mailpiece; and   a transformation unit that is adapted to convert a service request that can be forwarded by the server to a provider server.   
   
   
       68 . The logistics system recited in  claim 67 , comprising at least one device for processing mailpieces, the device comprising:
 a detector that is adapted to detect at least part of a first machine-readable code that has been applied onto a mailpiece;   an applier that is adapted to apply a second machine-readable code onto the mailpiece;   an associator that is adapted to allow a linking of the first code to the second code; and   an interface that is adapted to transmit the linking information to a server.   
   
   
       69 . The logistics system recited in  claim 67 , comprising a plurality of devices that each include a detector that is adapted to detect the first code and/or the second code, wherein the server includes a receiver that is adapted to receive information from the devices. 
   
   
       70 . The logistics system recited in  claim 67 , comprising:
 a first device that includes a detector that is adapted to detect at least part of the first machine-readable code;   a second device that is adapted to detect at least part of the second machine-readable code; and   wherein the server includes a receiver that is adapted to receive information from the first device and to receive information from the second device.   
   
   
       71 . The logistics system recited in  claim 67 , comprising:
 a storage device that is adapted to store a link between information about the first machine-readable code and the second machine-readable code; and   a provider of information about the mailpiece, taking into account this link.   
   
   
       72 . The logistics system recited in  claim 67 , comprising at least two transport segments, wherein the first code is detected with a first detection modality in one transport segment, and wherein the second code is detected with a second detection modality in another transport segment.